The elders of the Otada community under the aegis of the Otada Elders’ Council have petitioned the Area Commander, Otukpo Police Area Command in Benue State over the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA].
The girl was allegedly raped days after she survived major surgery.
The elders, in the letter dated 12 June 2020 and signed by the Ada’ Alekwu of Otada community, Oketa Otu, regretted that the victim had to suffer the terrible experience in the hands of the alleged rapist.
They said the alleged culprit disappeared shortly after the incident.
They called on the police and other security agencies to fish out the suspect so that he could face the law.
The elders condemned the alleged barbaric act of the suspect, which they noted was against the law and offended the gods of the land.
“All rape is evil, damaging and unforgivable, but the rape of a girl child, who just survived a major operation, is not only the worst form of rape but one of the most heinous crimes anyone can commit,” the letter read.
“The deterrence of such a crime depends on the capacity and the seriousness with which the case is investigated and prosecuted. We, therefore, appeal that urgent intervention be made by the police area commander to ensure justice in this case.
“We call on the political and security agencies to fish out the suspect and bring him to justice and to devise effective strategies to check the growing menace of sexual assault in Benue State.”
The APGA official in the local government was accused of raping the victim.
He was said to have fled the town, while the victim is still recuperating at the General Hospital, Otukpo.
A member of the House of Representatives representing the Ohimini/Otukpo Federal Constituency, Blessing Onuh, and a group, One Idoma Initiative, had placed N150,000 bounty on the politician’s head.
